Kentucky native brings business acumen and lifetime of equine knowledge to professional horse racing team
Baltimore, Md. –Sagamore Racing recently appointed Hunter Rankin as president, with overall responsibility for the professional horse racing team and its farm operations. Rankin’s leadership and equine experience will play a pivotal role in steering the organization, owned by Under Armour founder and CEO Kevin A. Plank, toward its simple but ambitious mission of one day winning the Triple Crown.
“I am so proud to lead this great team every day,” Rankin said. “We’re going to build on the culture of winning here and have a lot of fun in the process. Our future can be even brighter than our history, and at a place like Sagamore Farm, that’s incredibly special.”
Born and raised in Louisville, KY, Rankin grew up at Upson Downs Farm, a commercial Thoroughbred breeding and racing operation with approximately 150 horses. Prior to Sagamore Racing, Rankin was the executive vice president of Sagamore Development Company – another organization in the Plank Industries family of companies. Before joining the Sagamore Development team, Rankin was a partner and executive at Sterling G. Thompson Co., a privately held insurance company.
“Hunter has horse-racing in the blood, and has already demonstrated passion and leadership at the helm of Sagamore Racing,” said Tom Geddes, CEO of Plank Industries. “He also clearly understands the connections among all of our businesses, especially the newly-launched Sagamore Rye Whiskey, a product and brand deeply inspired by the farm.”
Sagamore Farm has about 40 horses in training. Notable team victories include Shared Account’s win in the $2 million Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf in 2010 – the team’s largest stakes win to date – and Miss Temple City’s historical feat as the first filly to ever win the $300,000 Grade 1 Marker’s 46 Mile in 2016.
As Baltimore’s hometown team, Sagamore Racing offers fans access to farm news and exclusive events, including Saturdays at Sagamore, Triple Crown viewing parties and more.